Alex Paxton Bunny
Commissioned by Norddeutscher Rundfunk / NDR Bigband
World Premiere: 26 April 2025, Hamburg
Copyright:RicordiBerlinonlyforperusal
master processed on 05.03.2025
Sy. 9288/01
ISMN 979-0-2042-9288-2
Copyright © 2024 by G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH, Berlin
INSTRUMENTATION
Reed I (jazz musician)
Piccolo, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone
Reed II (jazz musician)
Clarinet in Bb, Tenor Saxophone
Copyright:RicordiBerlinonlyforperusal
Reed III (jazz musician)
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone
Reed IV Bassoon
Trumpet in Bb*
Flugelhorn* (jazz musician)
Trombone* (jazz musician)
Percussion (jazz musician)
Large ensemble hand percussion setup, including drums and shakers (amplified)
Synthesizer (Electric Organ)
Electric Piano (jazz musician)
Violin I
Violin II
Bass (any, amplified)
*) Rubber Plunger
Duration: approx. 25 minutes
Score is in transposing pitch
is piece is a “groove music”/“rhythmic music” composition. e role of the conductor is therefore different from an orchestral role, and closer to the role of a conductor in a big band or Broadway show. e primary impetus for the pulse should always be a sonic one and not a visual one.
e bass part should always be amplied. It can be played on any appropriate instrument according to what feels best to the performer, e.g. upright electric bass, bass guitar, acoustic double bass with pick-ups.
is piece can be played amplied or unamplied. If unamplied, special care must be ensured to balance the electronic and acoustic instruments. It is normal that the percussion part should be amplied.
e synthesizer is always on an electric organ sound. It is expected that this would be played on an 88-key keyboard with a digital synth/sample pack with dynamic response. It is also possible to play on a real Hammond organ; in this case some passages will need to be put down the octave and some dynamics may need to be interpreted differently.
It is expected that the electric piano part can be played on any electric keyboard such as a Rhodes or Wurlitzer. It could also be played on a digital synth. Additionally, it could be played on an acoustic piano (probably amplied), but an electronic piano sound is preferable.
e solo improvisations should always be played by specialist jazz-solo improvisers.
Rhythms should always be interpreted with strict and uncompromising metric accuracy, as if in a big band (or other “rhythmic music” context).
Many phrases should be interpreted with an emphasised lyrical shape to the dynamic (breath)
In the winds and brass, lots of playful inconsistencies and ornamentation in articulation, tone, intonation, expression, vibrato, dynamics etc. are warmly encouraged. String players should consider senza vibrato as the default unless instructed otherwise.
Copyright:RicordiBerlinonlyforperusal
Reed I: Soprano Saxophone (jazz musician)
Reed II: Clarinet in Bb (jazz musician)
Reed III: Alto Saxophone (jazz musician)
Reed IV: Bassoon
Trumpet in Bb
Flugelhorn (jazz musician)
Trombone (jazz musician)
Percussion (jazz musician)
default = lots of stylistic variation, paint in vibrato, scoops, ornaments and lyrical decorations
default = lots of stylistic variation, paint in vibrato, scoops, ornaments and lyrical decorations
default = lots of stylistic variation, paint in vibrato, scoops, ornaments and lyrical decorations
default = lots of stylistic variation, paint in vibrato, scoops, ornaments and lyrical decorations
default = lots of stylistic variation, paint in vibrato, scoops, ornaments and lyrical decorations
default = lots of stylistic variation, paint in vibrato, scoops, ornaments and lyrical decorations
default = lots of stylistic variation, paint in vibrato, scoops, ornaments and lyrical decorations
Synthesizer (Electric Organ)
Electric Piano (jazz musician)
default = senza vib., lots of stylistic variation, scoops, ornaments and lyrical decorations
default = senza vib., lots of stylistic variation, scoops, ornaments and lyrical decorations
default = lots of stylistic variation, paint in vibrato, scoops, ornaments and lyrical decorations always present (always at generous volume to underpin ensemble)
Alex Paxton (2024)
Violin I
Violin II
tune cue (reference only) continue groove supporting the tune
tune cue (reference only) continue groove supporting the tune
comping – ornaments, melody fragments
Bb Cl. (II)
A. Sax. (III)
Bsn. (IV)
Vln. I Vln. II
Bsn. (IV)
tune cue (reference) continue groove
stacatissimo with tongue stops
stacatissimo with tongue stops
continue groove
play 2nd time only senza vib.
play 2nd time only senza vib.
Bsn. (IV)
A. Sax. (III)
Bsn. (IV)
con sord. (rubber plunger) wah
onlyforperusal
con sord. (rubber plunger) ad lib., as vocal as poss.
SOLO – begin complementing tune, then get busier
con sord. (rubber plunger) ad lib., as vocal as poss.
con sord. (rubber plunger) ad lib., as vocal as poss.
(strong accent notes and ghost notes)
(strong accent notes and ghost notes)
(strong accent notes and ghost notes)
(strong accent notes and ghost notes)
con sord. (rubber plunger) ad lib., as vocal as poss.
con sord. (rubber plunger) ad lib., as vocal as poss.
con sord. (rubber plunger) ad lib., as vocal as poss.
SING loudly, use the sounds that feel best (any octave, higher is better) written in transposing pitch (in Eb)
SING loudly, use the sounds that feel best (any octave, higher is better) written in transposing pitch (in Bb)
SING loudly, use the sounds that feel best (any octave, higher is better) written in transposing pitch (in Bb)
SING loudly, use the sounds that feel best (any octave, higher is better)
SING loudly, use the sounds that feel best (any octave, higher is better)
SING loudly, use the sounds that feel best (any octave, higher is better)
PIANO SOLO start with chords & decorations get busier and turn into high and fast “shred”
SING loudly, use the sounds that feel best (any octave, higher is better)
SING loudly, use the sounds that feel best (any octave, higher is better)
Bb Cl. (II)
S. Sax. (III)
Bsn. (IV)
Bb Cl. (II)
S. Sax. (III)
Bsn. (IV)
SING loudly, use the sounds that feel best (any octave, higher is better) written in transposing pitch (in E
SING loudly, use the sounds that feel best (any octave, higher is better)
Groove (in q triplets)
Feel 4 (samba-feel)
S. Sax. (III)
Bsn. (IV)
S. Sax. (III) Bsn. (IV)
DO NOT PLAY – ad lib. chattering sound
Describe how to prepare your favourite meal for your best friend
DO NOT PLAY – ad lib. chattering sound
Describe how to prepare your favourite meal for your best friend
DO NOT PLAY – ad lib. chattering sound
Describe how to prepare your favourite meal for your best friend
DO NOT PLAY – ad lib. chattering sound
Describe how to prepare your favourite meal for your best friend
DO NOT PLAY – ad lib. chattering sound
Describe how to prepare your favourite meal for your best friend
S. Sax. (III) Bsn. (IV)
T. Sax. (II)
S. Sax. (III) Bsn. (IV)
T. Sax. (II)
S. Sax. (III)
Bsn. (IV)
S. Sax. (III) Cbsn. (IV)
T. Sax. (II)
S. Sax. (III)
Cbsn. (IV)
S. Sax. (III) Cbsn. (IV)
S. Sax. (III)
S. Sax. (III)
T. Sax. (II)
A. Sax. (III)
Bsn. (IV)
T. Sax. (II)
A. Sax. (III)
Bsn. (IV)
Synth. (E. Org.)
T. Sax. (II)
A. Sax. (III)
Bsn. (IV)
S. Sax. (I)
T. Sax. (II)
A. Sax. (III)
Bsn. (IV)
T. Sax. (II)
A. Sax. (III) Bsn. (IV)
S. Sax. (I) T. Sax. (II) A. Sax. (III)
A. Sax. (III)
Bsn. (IV) Perc.
S. Sax. (I)
T. Sax. (II)
A. Sax. (III) Flug.